The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-05-28
Richard Gridley: Justice at Last.

Richard Gridley deserves place in his
tory as the peer of the bravest of our
revolutionary sires.
He was hero every inch-as truly this
as Hancock, Putnam or Prescott, He il
was who was deemed competent to plan
the Notifications on Bunker Hill, and
had the powder and ball been as ample
as Gridley's defenses we're strong, the
issue of that battle had been different.
Gridley was honored in his day by the
leading patriots, and had distinguished
recognition at the hands of Washington.
But Gridley was subsequently sighted.
neglected and made the victim of bitter
contumely. And why? Because he was
a Universalist? In that early day Calvin
ism was the master of the spiritual cita-
del; and it ruled in pitiless bigotry, una
BILE to see merit in those who did not SUBJ
NIT to it's sway. Richard Gridley was
the friend of John Murray, and his zeal
GUS supporter. He believed in the final
triumph of good over evil-the complete
redemption of all souls by the grace of
God. For this he was ostracized: and
his great and heroic services to his
country we're therefore forgotten, were
dishonored.
But justice only slumbers; it never
dies. The Rev. Mr.. Huntoon, of Canton,
gave the Grafton on Memorial Day in that
town. Gridley was citizen of Canton.
Mr.. Huntoon remembered the hero of
the early time. He told the story of
Gridley's fidelity to his country's call:
and OF his neglect with the reasons there
for and he pays just tribute to his
memory. Read the following from Mr..
Huntoon's address:
At the commencement of hostilites orr
town was designated as one of the towns.
to receive the supplies of the Province
and at the breaking out of the war a
company of mattresses were stationed
here to protect those stores. In this
town was erected powder mill, which
furnished large quantities of powder, and
that OF excellent quality, to the provin-
cial troops.
On the twenty-frst of April, IT'S, two
days after the battle of Lexington:
the Provincial Congress ordered that
messenger be Immediately dispatched
to request the attendance of Genera
Gridley and his son, and by this very
place galloped the hero, in response to
the summons. One incident of his life
and have done:
1t is the year 1888. Peace has spread
her bright wings over this fair land, and
the citizens of our ancient town have
met together in the old church to cele-
brate with beftting ceremonies the dawn
ing of that suspicious day. From the
old church tower the bell rings forth
merry peal. Flags are flying, guns are
booming. Men who have taken part in
the dangers and trials of the war, greet
at the church door their companions in
arms. Young men and maidens, in
holiday attire, come far and near to join
in the festivities. In the pulpit sits the
pastor who has ministered to this people
for over half century, and by his side
the distinguished orator of the day.
On that great day, when the thanks of
the people were to be returned to the
immortal veterans of the war, and when
thanksgiving was to be offered to AL
mighty God for the success of our army
and the establishment of the Republic,
Richard Gridley was left out in the cold
unlimited, forced to remain at home, and
see with feelings that can better be imagin-
ed than described, the great concourse of
people pass his house to celebrate the re-
turn of peace that peace to which he
had contributed more than any of them.
The question will naturally be asked
why was man so distinguished in the
art of war, and with SO noble a record,
allowed to remain away from this celebra-
ton? When Pedaretus, the Spartan,
missed the honor of being elected, one of
the three hundred who held distinguish
ed rank in the city, he went home we'll
satisfied, saying he was glad to know
there were three hundred men in Sparta
more honorable than he. Gridley could
hardly say this. Had he been guilty of
some heinous crime for which he must
be ostracised from the society of his
neighbors and townspeople? Far from it.
Gridley himself could not understand
this intentional neglect. ana he inquired
of an intimate friend of his why it was
that he had received no invitation to be
present at this celebration. His friend
reluctantly answered him in these words:
Because, General, you are not consider
ed by those having that matter in charge,
a Christian" His friend alluded to the
fact that Gridley had become Univers-
alist in religious belief.
The old veteran paused a moment
dropped his head on his breast, and then
with solemn and impressive speech, ut
tered these words: 81 love my God, my
country, and my neighbor as myse If. If
they have any better religion, / should
like to know what it is" Noble old man,
neglected forsooth, because his intellect
refused to adopt the popular dogmas of
the day. When his generous townspeo-
pie through the fundamentally Of your
Post, shall erect a grateful monument
over his neglected grave, in addition to
the recital of his deeds of patriotism and
vaior, in addition to his titles OF honor, in
edition 20 kba - tba Al